Despite rumours circling that the Reading Festival might be cancelled due to
the recent outburst of Foot & Mouth, the organisers have been given
permission by local authorities to go ahead, even if the disease spreads to
the area.

Council Emergency Planning Officer Arthur Rabjohn told nme.com: "Reading at
present is not known to be a disease-exposed area. The nearest cases are at
Oxford and to the west of Hungerford. The origin of these cases is known and
investigations have not pointed in our direction."

"In addition, the [Reading Festival and Womad] events - are four to five
months away and the disease control strategy of close down and catch up
should have had a marked effect within that time-scale. "

"I hope this reassures everyone that there is a high probability that they
will be unaffected by the current foot-and-mouth crisis."

Melvin Benn, a MD for promoters Mean Fiddler responded, "Obviously, I am
making significant contingency plans to ensure that come what may, the
festival will take place, even if I have to move locations. But this news is
fantastic."